Each Careers by Major page provides lots of ideas on various career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Useful resources and job samples are also provided.
Below is a sample of the many types of occupations and jobs pursued by graduates of this program.
1a. Sample Occupations
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some occupations require further education and experience.
Private Sector
Budget Analyst
Communications Officer
Financial/Business Consultant
Financial Planner*
Human Resources Specialist*
Market Analyst
Researcher*
Sales Manager
Public Opinion Analyst
Public Relations Specialist*
Lawyer*
Journalism
Editor*
Press Officer
Print Journalist*
Publisher*
Public Relations Specialist
Television and Radio Journalist*
Government
Public Policy Analyst*
Financial/Economic Analyst*
Social Policy Program Officer
Foreign Service Officer*
Immigration and Revenue Officer*
Legislative Analyst
Political Aide*
Politician*
Lobbyist*
Diplomat
Customs Officer
Economic Development Officer*
* View these titles at Career Cruising, available on CLN under the Resources tab.
1b. Sample Job Listings
Below is a sample of delisted positions that have been posted on UofT's Career Learning Network (CLN). To access current listings, login to CLN and click on Jobs.
Legal Assistant, Abrams & Krochak
Policy Advisor, Management Board Secretariat
Research Assistant, Department of Political Science, UTM
Regulatory Affairs and Legal Services, Toronto Hydro Corporation
Client Services Advisor, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
Parliamentary and Information & Research Assistant, Library of Parliament
Foreign Language Intelligence Analyst, Communications Security Establishment
Policy Analyst, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Library Student Assistant, Library, UTM
Indexing assistant, Mediacorp Canada Inc.
Intern, Global Affairs Canada
Policy & Legislation Implementation Assistant, Ministry of Labour
Political, Economic & Consular Intern, U.S. Consulate General Toronto
Communications and Outreach Assistant, Office of Student Transition, UTM
Report Writer, Flow Consulting Group
Resource Centre Coordinator, Ontario Public Interest Research Group
1c. Sample Areas of Employment
Government agencies
International agencies
Law firms
Universities and colleges
Consulting firms
Newspapers/media
Private firms
Banks
Lobbying firms
Research organizations
2. Program-Related Skills
Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills. Make a career counselling or an employment strategy appointment to discuss how you can demonstrate these skills to employers.
Communication: present ideas and data clearly; mediate and negotiate conflicts; public speaking; and listen critically.
Research and quantitative methods: interpret data; develop research designs and models; understand program and systems analysis; utilize survey research methods; and compare/contrast ideas and information
Analysis: interpret issues and data; understand components of complex problems; offer relevant perspectives; and synthesize themes from complex issues.
Planning and development: make projections; organize people/ equipment/ideas; think logically; conceptualize and implement projects; and make decisions.
Informational interviews are a great way to connect with professionals in a career area of interest and gain valuable insights about a particular career, company, or industry that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or online. Check out our tip sheet to learn more.
Alumni Profiles
Check out our Alumni Profiles page with submissions from UTM grads to find out how their experiences have affected their career direction.
Events
Attending career panels, networking events, employer info sessions, and career fairs is a great way to meet professionals and learn more about careers, companies and industries. Login to CLN and click on Events & Workshops to see what's coming up.
Talk to Professors
Connecting with your professors can be a great way to explore the different paths a major can lead you to, as well as learn about possible opportunities for research, volunteering or becoming a TA. Drop by during their office hours or request an appointment.
Student Organizations
Join a student club or an academic society at UTM to meet like-minded people, explore your interests and make valuable connections. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website. Some organizations you may consider are:
Political Science & Pre-Law Association
UTM Global Brigades
UTM Students' Union
LinkedIn
Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in various fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions and more. Need help? Come to the Career Centre to book a LinkedIn profile critique.
Professional Associations
There are many benefits of becoming a member of association(s), such as developing a network of contacts, learning about industry trends, accessing industry-related job postings and stating your affiliation on your resume. Some associations related to this major are:
Get some experience and exposure to the industry while being a student. This will increase your chances of finding a job after graduation, while helping you decide what area might be most suitable for you.
The work study program provides eligible students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain experience. Many departments use this program to hire UTM students during the Fall/Winter and Summer terms.
Research Opportunity Program (ROP)
UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows undergraduate students to gain valuable research experience and earn a course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Courses are held during Summer and Fall/Winter terms.
Check out our binder with detailed information on volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
Learn about the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), which can help you find opportunities beyond the classroom and have your skills and experiences captured on an official documentStudent Organizations
Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website.
4b. Off-Campus
Internships, Summer, Part Time and Volunteer Positions
Check out our binders with detailed information on internships and volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
Review our Internships, Summer Employment Programs, and Summer Job Search tip sheets
Full Time Positions
Networking is an essential element of job search today, as most jobs are not advertised. While you should still apply for positions you find online, building relationships with professionals is a proven way to access the 'hidden job market' with some of the most desirable opportunities. Attend the "Learn to Network" workshop to discover proven techniques to effectively introduce yourself and make contacts.
Login to CLN and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to graduating students and recent UofT grads. Note: You must attend the "Now That I'm Graduating, What's Next?" workshop to gain access to these postings.
The Career Resource Library contains information about a wide range of occupations in all industries, resume and cover letter resources, effective work search methods, graduate/professional school preparation guides, and more.
Meet with an academic or departmental advisor, who can guide you in achieving academic success. Contact the Office of the Registrar or your department for more information.
Career Planning by Year
Visit our Career Planning by Year page for ideas of important career related activities for each year. You can visit us in the Career Centre to find out more about career areas that interest you.
